Rapid gating and anion permeability of an intracellular aquaporin
Article Abstract:
It has been possible to identify a number of unusual biophysical properties for an aquaporin (AQP). This research has shown that rat AGP6 is functionally distinct from other known aquaporins. It shows low basal water permeability when expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes, but the water permeability of AQP6 oocytes rises rapidly up to tenfold when treated with the known water channel inhibitor Hg2+. The water permeability of activated AQP6 may be significant, as in intracellular vesicles AQP6 may play a role in vesicle swelling and membrane fusion during exocytosis or other cellular processes.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1999
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Acetylcholine receptor channel imaged in the open state
Article Abstract:
The electron microscopic image of Torpedo ray postsynaptic membranes reveals the characteristic features in the structure of the open-channel form of the acetylcholine receptor. The image is obtained during the activation of the membranes by a brief mixing of the membrane's acetylcholine droplets. The characteristic features reveal that acetylcholine stimulates the formulation of a small rotation of subunits in the extracellular domain. These subunits initiate changes in the alpha helices that line the membrane spanning pore.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1995
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Structure and gating mechanism of the acetylcholine receptor pore
Article Abstract:
The authors have investigated nicotinic acetylcholine receptors which control electrical signal between the muscle cells and nerve via closing and opening gated membrane-spanning pores. The atomic model of the crystalline postsynaptic membranes' closed pore has been obtained via the use of electron microscopy.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 2003
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